Last Modified: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 3:46 p.m.

You have a pretty significant history with the N.C. Apple Festival. Tell me about that.

I served as executive director of the festival for 10 years from 1998-2008. I've done just about everything that a person can do when it comes to the festival — I've been the recording secretary, the treasurer, vendor chairman, president — you name it. When I first became involved with the festival, little did I dream that I would work 31 years with it. It's just such a happy event.

How did you become involved with the Apple Festival?

My husband, Larry, was in charge of the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Museum, and we wanted to participate in the festival. This was back in 1981. The rule was that you couldn't participate in the Apple Festival unless you volunteered to help do the work to put the festival on, so that's how I got involved. At the time, I never dreamed I would still be working it all these many years later, but I loved it. It's really a worthwhile thing.

How do you think the festival has changed over the years?

I've seen it come from an event that took place over a two-week period to a four-day event that is very professionally run. I have traveled extensively and have gone to many festivals, and I can tell you that there are some that are nowhere near as organized and or as well done as the Apple Festival.

I went to a festival in England once, and it was held in a cow pasture and they didn't even bother to move the cow patties. And the vendors had some fantastic merchandise, but you had to dodge the cow patties to get to it!

What do you think the public perception is of the festival?

Our festival is very highly thought of, and I'm proud of that. Nearly every year, someone from some other festival contacts us to learn how we do the Apple Festival, how our festival operates, and I think that speaks well for the festival. If someone wants to emulate what you are doing, I think that is the highest form of praise.

Out of all the festivals I ever attended, this is one of the best. And I don't say that because I have anything to do with it, since I'm not as involved with it as I once was. People come from all over and they are up and down the street, and they really enjoy themselves. I think that says a whole lot.

Why is the Apple Festival important?

There was a study done several years ago about the economic impact the festival had, and we were astonished at the total economic impact. I can't remember the exact figure, but it was hundreds of thousands of dollars that came into the local economy because of the Apple Festival.

For most of the merchants, it's usually their biggest weekend of the year. A lot of people, in my years of association with the festival, come here and they are having so much fun at the festival that they don't have time to really see the town, so they make a second trip to see Hendersonville. They eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores, and stay in our hotels, and that helps the local economy, so that is a nice benefit as well.

What would you want to change about the festival, if anything?

I would like to see us really go and improve the arts and crafts section of the festival. The food section is fine, but I'd like to see the quality of the arts and crafts improved. But there's a downside to that. We have a wide spectrum of people in Henderson County, and we have always wanted to have something for all income levels, and you know that kind of limits us in what we can do.

<p>King Apple Parade Grand Marshal Helen Hauser</p><p>Age: 76</p><p>Occupation: Retired</p><p>Residence: Hendersonville</p><p>Family: Five children, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren</p><p>You have a pretty significant history with the N.C. Apple Festival. Tell me about that.</p><p>I served as executive director of the festival for 10 years from 1998-2008. I've done just about everything that a person can do when it comes to the festival — I've been the recording secretary, the treasurer, vendor chairman, president — you name it. When I first became involved with the festival, little did I dream that I would work 31 years with it. It's just such a happy event.</p><p>How did you become involved with the Apple Festival?</p><p>My husband, Larry, was in charge of the Henderson County Gem & Mineral Museum, and we wanted to participate in the festival. This was back in 1981. The rule was that you couldn't participate in the Apple Festival unless you volunteered to help do the work to put the festival on, so that's how I got involved. At the time, I never dreamed I would still be working it all these many years later, but I loved it. It's really a worthwhile thing.</p><p>How do you think the festival has changed over the years?</p><p>I've seen it come from an event that took place over a two-week period to a four-day event that is very professionally run. I have traveled extensively and have gone to many festivals, and I can tell you that there are some that are nowhere near as organized and or as well done as the Apple Festival.</p><p>I went to a festival in England once, and it was held in a cow pasture and they didn't even bother to move the cow patties. And the vendors had some fantastic merchandise, but you had to dodge the cow patties to get to it! </p><p>What do you think the public perception is of the festival?</p><p>Our festival is very highly thought of, and I'm proud of that. Nearly every year, someone from some other festival contacts us to learn how we do the Apple Festival, how our festival operates, and I think that speaks well for the festival. If someone wants to emulate what you are doing, I think that is the highest form of praise. </p><p>Out of all the festivals I ever attended, this is one of the best. And I don't say that because I have anything to do with it, since I'm not as involved with it as I once was. People come from all over and they are up and down the street, and they really enjoy themselves. I think that says a whole lot.</p><p>Why is the Apple Festival important?</p><p>There was a study done several years ago about the economic impact the festival had, and we were astonished at the total economic impact. I can't remember the exact figure, but it was hundreds of thousands of dollars that came into the local economy because of the Apple Festival. </p><p>For most of the merchants, it's usually their biggest weekend of the year. A lot of people, in my years of association with the festival, come here and they are having so much fun at the festival that they don't have time to really see the town, so they make a second trip to see Hendersonville. They eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores, and stay in our hotels, and that helps the local economy, so that is a nice benefit as well.</p><p>What would you want to change about the festival, if anything?</p><p>I would like to see us really go and improve the arts and crafts section of the festival. The food section is fine, but I'd like to see the quality of the arts and crafts improved. But there's a downside to that. We have a wide spectrum of people in Henderson County, and we have always wanted to have something for all income levels, and you know that kind of limits us in what we can do.</p>